Comparison of microenvironmental conditions in standard versus forced-air ventilated rodent filter-top cages

The microenvironmental conditions of a commercial rodent filter top caging system was evaluated when housing mice for a 2 week testing period, with an open cage with no filter used as a control. The results were compared to the effect of utilizing a novel developed forced-air ventilated system (Vent A Cage, Barriärteknik, Brösarp, Sweden) for filter cages, delivering filtered air directly to the cage and providing approximately 150 air changes per hour.In an animal room maintained at 21—22°C, 50—55 0/0 RH and 12—14 airchanges per hour the following experimental settings were evaluated: Micro-Isolator® cages of Macrolon ® type III without forced air (Standard), housing 4, 8 or 16 female mice with body weights ranging between 23—28 g were compared to two cages housing 16 mice each: a Micro-Isolator provided with an individual Vent A Cage system (Forced-air) and a cage without a filter lid (Control).Intracage RH, C02 and N113 levels were evaluated once a day in each caging system during a 2 week period. Bedding and feed were not removed during the testing period, but water bottles were Changed on day 6 and 12. Control measurements of intraeage temperature of filter cages showed only small deviations from actual room temperature throughout the study (data not shown).RH and carbon dioxide levels ranged between 70—100 % and 4,000—17,000 ppm respectively in standard cages with 8 and 16 mice, and between 60—75 % and 2,000—5,000 ppm respectively in the standard cage with 4 mice. The open control andthe forced-air cages housing 16 mice showed levels of RH and C02 similar to the maeroenvironment (animal room); the forced-air system averaged 40—60 % and 1,000—2,700 ppm, respectively.No appreciable ammonia levels were detected in either system until day 14. In the standard filter cage housing 16 mice the ammonia levels increased from about 7 ppm (traces) on day 13 to 650 and 700 ppm on day 14 and 15, respectively.The results indicate that housing of Z 8 adult mice in a Macrolon 111 Micro-Isolator cage within a day leads to a buildup of humidity and C02 levels in excess of recommended levels for mice. The comparatively late occurring ammonia levels detected in the present study as compared to other studies of filter top cages may be explained by the type and quality of bedding used. The forced-air system evaluated provided acceptable intracage air conditions with 16 mice for two weeks without cage changing and resulted in a remarkable improvement of the microenvironmental conditions as compared to a standard filter top cage

Self-rated health among very old people in European countries : An explorative study in Latvia and Sweden

Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2015.Objectives: To explore and gain insight into factors related to self-rated health (SRH) among very old people in two European countries. Methods: The study was based on Latvian (n = 301) and Swedish (n = 397) data from the baseline of the Enabling Autonomy, Participation, and Well-Being in Old Age: The Home Environment as a Determinant for Healthy Ageing Survey Study. Besides descriptive statistics, ordinal regression analysis was used to analyze demographic, physical and mental health-related, functional and environmental factors related to SRH in each sample. Results: In both samples, participants with worse perceived physical mobility and more symptoms were significantly more likely to have worse SRH. There were more diverse results regarding other factors in terms of opposite relations to SRH, comparing the two samples. Discussion: Preventive measures and health care should focus on improving and supporting mobility and physical health among older people. Especially in countries with low scores on indicators of health such as Latvia, to minimize health inequalities. More attention should be paid to factors to improve the general health status of the population.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Single-cell chromosomal imbalances detection by array CGH

Genomic imbalances are a major cause of constitutional and acquired disorders. Therefore, aneuploidy screening has become the cornerstone of preimplantation, prenatal and postnatal genetic diagnosis, as well as a routine aspect of the diagnostic workup of many acquired disorders. Recently, array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) has been introduced as a rapid and high-resolution method for the detection of both benign and disease-causing genomic copy-number variations. Until now, array CGH has been performed using a significant quantity of DNA derived from a pool of cells. Here, we present an array CGH method that accurately detects chromosomal imbalances from a single lymphoblast, fibroblast and blastomere within a single day. Trisomy 13, 18, 21 and monosomy X, as well as normal ploidy levels of all other chromosomes, were accurately determined from single fibroblasts. Moreover, we showed that a segmental deletion as small as 34 Mb could be detected. Finally, we demonstrated the possibility to detect aneuploidies in single blastomeres derived from preimplantation embryos. This technique offers new possibilities for genetic analysis of single cells in general and opens the route towards aneuploidy screening and detection of unbalanced translocations in preimplantation embryos in particular

Changes in everyday life after discharge from day care rehabilitation

Community-based day care that provides rehabilitation (DCR) targets elderly people with physical disabilities. The goal of these programmes is mainly to improve physical ability in order to enable participants to remain in their ordinary homes. Knowledge of the outcomes of DCR is limited as well as knowledge of what it is that makes a difference for the individual. The aim of this study was to describe what changes in everyday life elderly persons experienced after discharge from a community-based day care rehabilitation centre and to give possible explanations for these changes. Fifteen elderly people were interviewed after that they had been discharged from DCR. A narrative approach was used for analysing the interview data. Four case stories constitute the findings, each of them with unique descriptions of changes in everyday life as well as possible explanations for these changes. The first case story described resumption of daily activities that made the days more eventful and meaningful. The second described how everyday life became an arena for exercising, which create confidence for the future. The third described how an increased sense of certainty and security in the movements led to an increased appetite for life. Finally, the fourth case story described both the stay at the DCR centre and the promise of a new period there as uplifting that made the days easier. Concerning possible explanations for these changes, the findings indicate that it was a combination of several events that together contributed to the changes. Examples were physical training, counselling about how to live in an active and healthy lifestyle, and socialisation with other patients in formal as well as in informal sessions

Usability of the SAFEWAY@SCHOOL system in children with cognitive disabilities

PurposeSAFEWAY2SCHOOL is a programme based on several systems for the enhancement of school transportation safety for children. The aim of the study was to explore whether children with cognitive disabilities will notice, realise, understand, trust and accept the SAFEWAY2SCHOOL system and act in accordance with its instructions. Methods Fourteen children with cognitive disabilities and a control group of 23 children were shown five videos of scenarios involving journeys to and from school. During the first viewing visual scanning patterns were recorded with an eye tracking device. After a second viewing the participant was asked ten questions per scenario. Five questions addressed what the children saw on the video, and the remaining five what they would need to know and/or do within the scenario. Additional ratings of trust, likability, acceptability and usability were also collected. Results Very few differences were found in the visual scanning patterns of children with disabilities compared to children who participated in the control group. Of the 50 questions regarding what children saw or needed to know and/or do, only one significant difference between groups was found. No significant differences were found regarding self-reported ratings of trust, acceptability or usability of the system. Despite some significant differences across five of the 11 likability aspects, ratings were consistently high for both groups. Conclusions Children with cognitive disabilities proved that the SAFEWAY2SCHOOL system is as useful for them as it was for children in the control group. However, a valid estimation of the full utility of SAFEWAY2SCHOOL requires in situ testing of the system with these children

Feasibility and effects of preventive home visits for at-risk older people: Design of a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background The search for preventive methods to mitigate functional decline and unwanted relocation by older adults living in the community is important. Preventive home visit (PHV) models use infrequent but regular visits to older adults by trained practitioners with the goal of maintaining function and quality of life. Evidence about PHV efficacy is mixed but generally supportive. Yet interventions have rarely combined a comprehensive (biopsychosocial) occupational therapy intervention protocol with a home visit to older adults. There is a particular need in the USA to create and examine such a protocol. Methods/Design The study is a single-blind randomized controlled pilot trial designed to assess the feasibility, and to obtain preliminary efficacy estimates, of an intervention consisting of preventive home visits to community-dwelling older adults. An occupational therapy-based preventive home visit (PHV) intervention was developed and is being implemented and evaluated using a repeated measures design. We recruited a sample of 110 from a population of older adults (75+) who were screened and found to be at-risk for functional decline. Participants are currently living in the community (not in assisted living or a skilled nursing facility) in one of three central North Carolina counties. After consent, participants were randomly assigned into experimental and comparison groups. The experimental group receives the intervention 4 times over a 12 month follow-up period while the comparison group receives a minimal intervention of mailed printed materials. Pre- and post-intervention measures are being gathered by questionnaires administered face-to-face by a treatment-blinded research associate. Key outcome measures include functional ability, participation, life satisfaction, self-rated health, and depression. Additional information is collected from participants in the experimental group during the intervention to assess the feasibility of the intervention and potential modifiers. Fidelity is being addressed and measured across several domains. Discussion Feasibility indications to date are positive. Although the protocol has some limitations, we expect to learn enough about the intervention, delivery and effects to support a larger trial with a more stringent design and enhanced statistical power. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT0098528